The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-12-29
CHRISTMAS.
Services at the Churches and Other
Incidents of the DaY.

Incidents OF the Day.
The services at the various churches
Christmas day, happening to be Sunday,
as well as other incidents of the Christmas
holidays, were more than usually in
teresting.
The grand festival of Christmas, which
still psrpetuates the angels message of
"peace on earth, good will to
men," WAS celebrated in Austin
with due honor and solemnlty.
At st. Mary's Roman Catholic church
there was solemn high mass at 1920
O'Clock, with Rev. Father Scheier, @. s. c.,
vice president of ST. Edwards college, as
celebrant, Rev. Father Lauth as deacon,
and Rev. w. Ollmert, @. s. O., sub deacon.
The sermon was preached by Rev. Father
Lauth. Thesbeautiful Christmas crib in
this church, the work of artistic and de-
voted hands at st. Mary's academy, was a
subject of general attention. I he crib
used in former years was destroyed by
fire, but the good sisters hastily, but taste
fully, impTovised one to temporarily take
its place. The music was new mass,
and under the direction of Professor
Besserer, the mere announcement of which
is sufficient guarantee for its success.
Vespers was, as usual, postponed until
1880 O'Clock, when an eloquent
sermon was preached by Rev.
Father Scheier, G. S. c., followed by the
benediction of the blessed saerament
At st. Edwards college high, mass was
sung by Rev. President Hurth at 10
O'Clock. Most of the students have gone
home for the hi lidays, only about four
teen staying at the college. The ,ollege
chapel is also decorated with grotto and
crib of the Infant Savior, before lghich
varicolored lamps are constantly kept
burning. The readers of THE STATESMAN
have, no DOUBT, read the description of
the orig inal grotto at Bethlehem, and the
scenes that had occurred there, in Gen.
Lew Wallace's now famous story, "Ben
Hur," which has had the honor of trans
laiion into several European languages.
The crib at the college is the work of
Brother Albert, G. S. @, au artist of
repute, who has lately sought santa
rum in Texas, and is now professor of
painting ard drawing at the college.
Brother Albert taught painting and draw
ing at Not Dame university for some
years, ard afterwards at st. Joseph's
college, CINCINNATI, where his work was
favorably noticed on several occa-
sions by the city papers. We
hope that he will aid in the
good work of making Austin center for
the fine arts, which, in addition to its
celebrity as health resort, cannot fail to
prove great advantage to our beautiful
city. The fine crayon portrait lately pre-
sented to President Hurth by the students
of st. Edwards, is from this artists easel,
and several sketches and studies, some Of
which are local, adorn his little studio at
the college.
The Christmas tree at st. Edwards col
lege this year proved an immense source
of qualification and amusement to the
students remaining during the holidays.
There was something on it for everybody,
young and old, and when the time for
stripping it of its treasures came-on
Christmas evenipg-the study hall pre-
scented scene of hilarity and enjoyment,
TENTH STREET M. Z. CHURCH.
Rev. Mr.. Armstrong, presiding elder of
this district, preached fine sermon in
the morning and one at night. One of
them, on the subject of "riches," was
Psrticu arly excellent, showing how the
| wealth of character was superior to
worldly possessions, which cannot, like
the former, be projected beyond life in
this world. The music rendered by Mrs.
Lane, as orgsnist, and the choir was
select and beautiful.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
! Rev. VIM. Howard preached a remark
ably eloquent sermon from the text, Matt.
chapter Xxx, % verse, his theme being
| Christ's teachings concerning the purposes
of his incarnation. The music was ap-
propriate, and finely rendered by Mrs.
Campbell, the organist, assisted by DR..
Loving, Miss Hudspeth, and others of
the choir.
DR.. Howard was the reel pient of a num-
bers of handsome presents from his
friends during the day.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Rev. DR.. Lee, rector of this church,
preached one of his usually appropriate
and eloquent sermons, abiding In gratu-
lating terms to his thirteen years service
in st. David's. Fine music was rendered
by Mr.. Hammond at the organ, and Mr..
Warner, Mrs. Maxey and Miss Giffen of
the choir.
SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN CHORCH.
Rev. DR.. Smoot preached splendid
sermon in the hall of the senate, where
the services of his congregation are held
on account of the church being under re-
pair. II was one of his best efforts, and
there was a fine audience to hear him.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The services at this church, of which
Rev. DR.. Wright is the popular pastor,
were very interesting and appropriate to
the day. The music was we'll selected and
we'll rendered, and the church was appro.
priately decorated.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The services at this church were OF the
usual earnest and interesting character.
Rev. DR.. wilkins was favored during the
day with number of presents as kind
remembrances from the devoted church
people of his congregation.
CUMBERLAND P4sEsBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Rev. DR.. Shaw preached an able and
appropriate sermon to fine audience.
The music, which was specially prepared
for the occasion, was particularly good,
and the exercises of the hour we're
highly expressive.
The STATESMAN regrets that its repre-
sentatives we're not quite numerous
enough to be on hand at all of the
| churches to allude more fullv to them,